The Dentist

Dr. Oltea Serbanescu is my dentist. Today I thought I had one small problem in a front tooth, but, no, there were several others. I have an appointment next Wednesday to finish what she could not do today. This brilliant and professional dentist was trained as American dentists are trained and she has American equipment. Today I noticed that her practice has grown. She has expanded to two rooms for seeing patients and she has marvelous new equipment. A flat TV was attached so that I could what was wrong and needed to be fixed.

Once we went to a dentist trained in Germany and, when she dropped my crown on the floor, she told me that I made her nervous. Being nervous she had to hurry and that is why the crown did not fit. One reason she was nervous is because I insisted that she use gloves. That is just one of the means of sanitation and protection that I expected and thought should have been standard practice, normal safe procedures. She was puppy dog friendly and she had a booming practice. I was used to a different style of dentistry. You could say that I am spoiled, but then I think that all those people who suffered through drilling without anesthesia deserve a lot of admiration for their courage. One dentist we visited did not know how to use anesthesia. They were not used to deadening before drilling and really did not know how so she asked me to sign a release, a paper excusing them if they made any errors since I was the one who insisted on the anesthesia. I said goodbye.

A friend who now lives in Canada referred me to Dr. Oltea, as I call her. I have been going to her for several years now and have referred our nieces Monica and Gabi to her. They like her a lot. And her offices are near their apartment. Compared with the cost of dental work in Texas, what happened today is a real bargain.

After the visit to the dentist, I went to Alison's book launching. Alison is a journalist who works for the Associated Press and this book tells of her experiences in Romania as a journalist. The Associated Press pays in US dollars, which used to be a very good thing. We are both in shock about the declining value of the dollar. The exchange rate has dropped considerably and steadily during the last few years. It was at the book launching that I met a woman who was very interested in having a referral to a good dentist for her daughter, who is a senor in high school. As I dashed in to the book launching and saw Andrew and Leslie on their way out. She found a place outside of Bucharest and he is looking for one.

Then a mad dash to find the pharmacy that had what I wanted. Five pharmacies later I still did not have it all! It was wonderful to have the Silver Streak, as I call my new Volvo, to drive from place to place. So much easier that I am ever so grateful! No sputtering in heavy traffic and no dying just as the light turns in my favor!

Well, tomorrow is another day and we are cool. The air conditioners have been installed and the tall grass cut. All is right with the world. Thank goodness Georgetta weeded the garden.

Noapte buna!